Top 3 Thrills for the Budget Conscious Family

The dollar goes a long way in Mississippi, so we’re the perfect people to visit if ...

The dollar goes a long way in Mississippi, so we’re the perfect people to visit if you’re looking for more fun and less spending. Below are our three top suggestions for budget thrills for the whole family.

Buccaneer State Park was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina but beautifully restored and reopened in 2013. The star of the 400-acre green space bordering the Gulf of Mexico is the half-million gallon wave pool. Admission is $3 per car; tickets are $13 for children under 48 inches and $19 for those over 48 inches -- around half the price of other water parks. Disc golf, playground, camping, and nature trail also available.

Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Tishomingo State Park is steeped in history and scenic beauty. Available are picnic areas with tables and grills, disc golf courses, compass course, hiking trails, playgrounds, multi-use field, vollyball court, and a swimming pool. Canoe trips and fishing are available on Bear Creek. Haynes Lake, a 45 acre fresh water lake, is available for fishing.The park also has the best rock faces in the state, with options for beginners and experts by permit. There are more than 100 documented climbing routes, ranging from 20-foot pitches to the 60-foot Jean’s Overhang.

Mississippi Book Festival Announces Author Line-Up

Plans for the inaugural Mississippi Book Festival are well underway, and organizers confirm that ...

Plans for the inaugural Mississippi Book Festival are well underway, and organizers confirm that the festival line-up includes John Grisham, Greg Iles, Bill Ferris, and Ellen Gilchrist among the more than 70 authors participating.

Holly Lange, Executive Director of the Mississippi Book Festival, shares, “We are thrilled that John Grisham will be joining a great group of Mississippi authors in Mississippi’s inaugural Book Festival. He has taken an active interest in the success of this event and plans on appearing at the festival throughout the day. Because Mississippi is so rich with writers, we have assembled authors from a wide range of subjects that will appeal to every Mississippian.”

The festival will conclude with a panel that includes Greg Iles, an early supporter of the event. Iles’ new book, The Bone Tree, has received national critical acclaim.

John Evans, owner of Lemuria Books in Jackson, has been a guiding hand in the planning process. Says Evans, “Mississippi’s literary contributions have enhanced our state and national culture. Our great writers are household names; many of their stories are our stories. But before great writers put pen to paper, they were first great readers.”

The event will also celebrate the state’s independent booksellers. All of the state’s independent booksellers have been invited to participate as exhibitors, selling books and merchandise throughout the day. Additionally, self-published authors have the opportunity to participate as well.

For more on Mississippi art and literature, visit our See & Do section.

8 Unusual Mississippi Foods You Must Try

Mississippi is arguably home to some of the country’s best food, and, espcially to ...

Mississippi is arguably home to some of the country’s best food, and, espcially to non-southerners, also some of the country’s weirdest food. We’ve gathered a list of some Mississippi traditions that may sound a little strange at first. Don’t be afraid to taste outside the box. We’re sure you’ll find something on this list you’ll want to take home with you!

1. Grits

Considered a staple food in the South, grits are made from ground corn and are of Native-American origin. Although commonly eaten at breakfast accompanied by butter and cheese, grits are now infiltrating lunch and dinner and have become a real show-stopper. Some common Mississippi recipes are shrimp and grits, grits and grillades, and even deep fried grits.

2. Koolickles

Standard fare in the Mississippi Delta region, these sweet and salty pickles are a treat on a hot summer day. The task of making Koolickles is a simple one: drain the brine from a jar of pickles, add in a pack of Kool-Aid and a cup of sugar, and return the brine to jar. Refridgerate until cold.

3. Tamales

Many hypothesize that tamales made their way to the Mississippi Delta in the early twentieth century when migrant laborers were brought in from Mexico to work the cotton harvest. In Mississippi, no two people make hot tamales exactly the same. Pork is traditional. Some folks use beef, while others prefer turkey. Some people use masa, while most prefer the rough texture of corn meal. Some eat theirs straight out of the shuck, while others smother them in chili and cheese. As it turns out, there are as many stories about how Deltans acquired tamale recipes as there are ways of making them. Check out Mississippi's Hot Tamale Trail for more ideas.

4. Peanuts and Coke

Exactly what it sounds like. Crack open a cold Coca-Cola, preferably in a glass bottle, and add a handful of salted, roasted and shelled peanuts. The two combine into a perfectly sweet and salty combination that also doubles as an afternoon snack.

5. Pig Ear Sandwich

With the flavor and consistency of bacon, this chewy and crunchy sandwich has been through four generations of Jackson, Mississippi’s Lee family. The Big Apple Inn has welcomed patrons for more than 100 years in their downtown location. The ear is cooked to perfect temperature, slathered with spicy mustard, and slapped between two soft buns for a truly down-home, Mississippi experience. Another popular item on their menu is “the smokes”, a smoked sausage sandwich.

6. The Slugburger

According to Mississippi legend, the term “slugburger” comes from the slang word for nickel. This deep-fried burger is made up of two ground meats, usually beef and pork, and an extender of soy grits. Visit Slugburger Café in Corinth for the total experience.

7. Hushpuppies

These deep-fried balls of cornmeal, flour, milk, sugar and onion usually accompany Mississippi’s signature dish: fried catfish. The batter is mixed well and dropped a spoonful at a time into hot oil. The bread is fried until crispy golden brown, then cooled.

8. Biscuits and Gravy

This typical southern breakfast is sure to fill your stomach. Often served during the colder months, Mississippians bake fresh, from-scratch biscuits and top them with a white, flour-based gravy, sometimes called sawmill gravy, and freshly ground black pepper. Many add ground pork sausage to the gravy. Some even make a chocolate version, using cocoa, flour, milk, sugar, and vanilla.

Win a Mississippi Resort Getaway For Two!

Beginning July 8, 2015, you can enter for a chance to win a trip for two, including a two-night ...

Beginning July 8, 2015, you can enter for a chance to win a trip for two, including a two-night stay at a Pearl River Resort Casino and Hotel, dinner for two at Phillip M’s, and a round of golf for two at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club.

You and a guest will enjoy the experience of Pearl River Resort, a blend of casino thrills, family-style fun and live entertainment with down-home Southern hospitality and warmth.

Escape to the rolling hills of Choctaw, Mississippi and engage in infinite diversions, from world-class casinos, the award-winning golf courses and marvelous restaurants to timeless and comfortable accommodations and an exquisite spa.

Offering fun in every corner, Pearl River Resort is tucked among the towering pines and oak forests of Choctaw, Mississippi and is owned and operated by the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians.

You’ll discover you have everything you need for the perfect getaway at the South’s premier gaming and family vacation destination… And all you have to do to win this free trip is register!

2 nights' stay at the Silver Star or Golden Moon Hotel and Casino, both Pearl River Resort properties

1 round of golf for two at Dancing Rabbit Golf Club

Dinner for two at Phillip M’s Restaurant

Contest rules:

Limit one entry per person (over the course of the contest)

Must be 21 years of age to enter

Required info: Name, email, and phone number

Entry period: 10 a.m. July 8 – 11:59 p.m. August 6

Winner drawn August 6, announced on or around August 7

Winner will be notified by email or phone

Details and Restrictions:

Offer valid through Dec. 30, 2015

Credit card required for room deposit. Credit card will be charged if reservation is not cancelled a minimum of 24 hours in advance. Room released at 6 p.m. unless guaranteed by a valid credit card. Based on availability. Based on double occupancy. $10 per each additional guest. Maximum of four per room.

Reservation required

No cash value

Must be 21 or older

Nontransferable

May not be combined with any other hotel offer or package

Holidays and blackout dates excluded

July 4th - Mississippi Style

Mississippians love finding reasons to celebrate, and the Independence Day holiday is no exception. ...

Mississippians love finding reasons to celebrate, and the Independence Day holiday is no exception. From the Hills to the Coast, you’ll find events, festivals and get-togethers sure to be fun for the whole family. Below are some of our Fourth of July celebrations from across the state.

Canton

The Canton Balloon Glow & Patriotic Fireworks Spectacular will be held at the Canton Multi Purpose Center on Saturday night, July 4th. See the full schedule of events for the Mississippi Championship Hot Air Baloon Fest.

Hernando

Hernando Independence Day Celebration - July 3, 6 pm. Join us as we celebrate Independence Day at the Hernando Civic Center (Baseball Field Complex). Bring your lawn chairs for a night of entertainment.

Horn Lake

July 4th Fireworks Spectacular in Horn Lake – Bring picnic baskets and blankets, enjoy children’s activities and entertainment, all with free admissions. Food vendors will be available and the fireworks finale begins at 9 p.m.

Laurel

Meridian

July 4th Celebration - The City of Meridian will host one of the areas largest July 4th Celebrations featuring a free concert and spectacular fireworks display over beautiful Bonita Lakes. Gates open at 3:30, concert starts at 6:00, and the fireworks begin at 9:00. Join us for an evening of family fun.

Natchez

Fireworks over the Mississippi River in Natchez - Join in the fun as Natchez residents line up all along the bluff to watch a spectacular firework show over the Mississippi River. The show will take place around dark and is free to the public.

Ocean Springs

Ocean Springs 4th of July Fireworks Show – Do not miss celebrating America's Independence Day the Ocean Springs way. Bring your blankets and chairs, play volleyball, kids can enjoy the splash pad and everyone can end the evening with a BANG as fireworks lightup the night sky.

Ridgeland

Vicksburg

Vicksburg Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza - Celebrate the 4th of July in downtown Vicksburg! The fireworks extravaganza on the mighty Mississippi will follow live music by Mustache The Band at 7 p.m. and the fireworks at 9 p.m. The fireworks will be shot behind the Old Depot Museum, 1010 Levee Street.

Southaven

Southaven Patriotic Parade - July 3, 10 am at City Hall. After a short patriotic ceremony at City Hall, everyone parades around the lake in Jim Saucier Park, next to City Hall. Afterward, M. R. Davis Public Library provides everyone with refreshing lemonade and cookies at the Gazebo.

Waveland

Red, White, and You - July 4, 4-10 pm at the Waveland Pier. Waveland, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, entered a national competition to win itself an all-expense-paid Fourth of July bash, complete with BBQ, entertainment, and fireworks, worth $50,000. Live entertainment, food, activities and games! This is a FREE event.

Jenny Breaux's Beer Battered Onion Rings

Bring your onion rings to the next level by adding an aged oatmeal stout from Prohibition Brewing ...

Bring your onion rings to the next level by adding an aged oatmeal stout from Prohibition Brewing Co. to the batter. The bubbles from the beer will add a lightness and body to the batter, while the smoothness and slight sweetness of the oatmeal stout complements the onion's natural taste.

Mississippi Leads in Farm-to-Table Movement

The farm-to-table and local food movements have become national trends, and Mississippi restaurants ...

The farm-to-table and local food movements have become national trends, and Mississippi restaurants are ahead of the game. Producing, delivering and serving local products in a way that showcases the food’s natural beauty has become common in almost every corner of the state. Here are some of our best suggestions for eating farm-to-table style:

1. Parlor Market – Jackson, Miss.

Found in the downtown area of Jackson, Parlor Market prides itself on offering locally farm products, providing patrons information each week on where the food was farmed. The restaurant was the brainchild of the late Craig Noone, who dreamed of creating a hot spot for inventive local fare, featuring a new spin on southern favorites. Diners can expect to find items like duck carbonara, Mississippi rabbit and gulf redfish.

2. Delta Bistropub – Greenwood, Miss.

Featuring award-winning cuisine of James Beard-nominated chef and co-owner Taylor Bowen Ricketts, Delta Bistropub’s unique cuisine is presented in an equally unique setting, a modern, contemporary interior tucked inside a beautifully restored historic building located one block north of The Alluvian hotel in downtown Greenwood. Their menu includes items like fried alligator with comeback sauce, cast iron quail, smoked elk and duck ragu.

3. Big Bad Breakfast – Oxford, Miss.

Owned by renowned Chef John Currence, Big Bad Breakfast certainly lives up to its name and has quickly become one of Oxford’s most popular eats. One visit to BBB will guarantee you never look at a breakfast plate the same again. Whether it's the house-cured tabasco/brown sugar bacon, crispy southern fried chicken or the Anson Mills steel cut oatmeal, you'll be talking about coming back before you've left the table.

4. Crescent City Grill – Hattiesburg, Miss.

Robert St. John has spent more than three decades in the restaurant business. Twenty-seven of those years have been as the owner, CEO and chef of Crescent City Grill, Purple Parrot Café, Mahogany Bar, Branch, and Tabella, all in Hattiesburg. At Crescent City Grill, customers can look forward to a New Orleans fare with a Mississippi twist. Popular dishes include the sloppy roast beef po’ boy, corn and crabcake bisque and eggplant Orleans.

5. The Manship – Jackson, Miss.

The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen is located in the historic Belhaven neighborhood of Jackson. The creation of Chef Alex Eaton and entrepreneur Steven O’Neill, The Manship transforms the essence of Mediterranean food and southern classics. Eaton and O’Neill strive to capture the cuisine of the countries surrounding the Mediterranean, while maintaining a southern flair. The menu designs are based on the relationship between the chef and farmers, and the food available at the moment. Some items you’ll find on the menu include heirloom tomato bisque, farmer’s market pizza, duck leg confit, and a long list of fresh, seasonal vegetables.

Shades of Blue: 3 Mississippi-Born Products

Mississippi is known around the world as the birthplace of the blues. Now its creative economy is ...

Mississippi is known around the world as the birthplace of the blues. Now its creative economy is adding two other shades of blue to its palette: blue jeans made in Oxford, and blueberries grown locally and exported internationally.

1. Blueberries

Recently, members of the Miss-Lou Blueberry Co-op, which includes farms from Poplarville, Purvis and Lumberton, exported their berries to India and the United Arab Emirates.

The idea began in January, when Dinesh Shinde, owner of Anusaya Fresh Worldwide in Mumbai, India, visited Miss-Lou co-op farms and decided he wanted blueberries for the first USA Blueberry Blast Celebration in India and Dubai. Anusaya Fresh will distribute the product throughout the two countries. The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, which is a member of the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service, coordinated the exports. Read the full story on Mississippi blueberries here.

2. Blue Jeans

Mississippi business Blue Delta Jean Co. (BDJ) recently opened a studio in Oxford, the company’s first retail location open to the public. The company, originally based in Tupelo, has a focus on raw denim and uses all domestic materials. It also allows customers to customize their blues by selecting from a collection of denim, thread and hardware. Their Oxford studio carries custom shirts, hand-sewn leather goods and other unique American and Mississippi made fashion products. Get started designing your own pair of Mississippi blue jeans here.

Watch the short film on Blue Delta from Blue Magnolia Films and the Mississippi Creative Economy:

3. Blues Music

In May, Mississippi laid to rest B.B. King, the King of the Blues, and the world was reminded of Mississippi’s influence, past and present, on America’s music.

King, born in Berclair and raised in Indianola, went on to produce No. 1 hits, receive GRAMMY awards, tour nationally and internationally, make television appearances, accept hall of fame inductions, and ultimately gain a following that launched his role as a music icon. All the while, he never forgot where he came from, and rarely missed the chance to tell the world about Mississippi.

Markers dedicated to King can be found in Berclair, Kilmichael, Greenwood and Indianola, and he is mentioned in more than 20 markers along the Mississippi Blues Trail. A dedicated to the musician is also located in Indianola, King’s final resting place.

To learn more about King and other Mississippi blues musicians, plan your trip to tour the state’s blues trail, and experience first-hand where America’s music was born.

Whether it’s blueberries, blue jeans or blues music that strike your fancy, you’ll find all three in Mississippi. Plan your trip at www.visitmississippi.org.